Article Dr. E Sreenivasa Rao - Principal Scientist - Indian Institute of Horticulture Research

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Dr. E Sreenivasa Rao
Principal Scientist
Indian Institute of Horticulture Research


A Principal scientist at ICAR-IIHR, Bangalore, Dr E Sreenivasa Rao specializes in improvement of watermelons and muskmelons.

“Over the last 35 years we have been working on improvement of these crops. There has been a lot of trends and changes that have been taking place in the varieties developed and there are also many techniques to grow these crops. Currently at IIHR we focus on developing varieties of these two crops that are resistant to diseases. We have three major diseases affecting these crops.
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In watermelons:

1. Bud necrosis virus

2. Fusarium wilt and

3. Gummy Stem Wilt

In muskmelons:

1. Downy mildew and

2. Powdery mildew

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There are some wild species that are resistant to these diseases. All the cultivated watermelons are susceptible to these diseases. We are trying to incorporate resistance through traditional breeding methods.”

Why is the focus only on muskmelon and watermelon?

At IIHR, we are about 18 scientists working in the vegetable crop division and we work on nearly 21 different vegetable crops. My specialisation is in these two crops. We have several other vegetable crops being researched at IIHR.


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In which parts of India are these crops being grown predominantly?

Watermelons, about 10 years back, was a summer season crop. But now it is available throughout the year. This is because of the different varieties that are coming up and change in agro techniques. Today, it can be grown throughout the year especially in southern India. But the major producing states for watermelon are Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and West Bengal. Apart from that, we have it growing in other regions as well - Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa etc.

In terms of muskmelon, Andhra Pradesh is doing well. Nowadays, in South India, these crops can be grown throughout the year.

In what way does your research add value to the farmers who cultivate these crops?

We have unveiled varieties of these crops that can be cultivated throughout the year. That by itself is a great value add.

Basically these are crops that can be grown during two seasons – October-November which gets harvested in February. Then, sowing in February and harvesting in March-April. These are the traditional seasons. Now, we have festivals coming up during rainy seasons as well.

Ramadan is a peak season for consumption of these fruits. So, owing to this demand, farmers are growing these crops during rainy season as well. The sowing is done in the May-June timeframe so that the harvest happens during the festival time. That way they get to meet the market demand. Essentially now, it can be grown across three seasons.

Another thing we are focused on is developing disease resistant varieties. The major problem is that watermelon and muskmelon are desert crops which are introduced to our regions. Since we are forcefully cultivating them, they are prone to several diseases. We need to manage them in the right manner. That is where research plays a major role - in helping to come up with disease resistant varieties so that farmers can easily grow the crops.

Also since it is grown across seasons, the crop is prone to disease and insects. If you take the crop during summer season, you have the problem of fruit flies and this can multiply during the rainy season. So, if fruit flies are not taken care of at the right time, chances are that one will lose 100% of the crop. In rainy season, when it is slightly cloudy, it is prone to mildew; there also if one is not careful, there are chances that one might lose the entire crop.

Hence, we need to know the diseases before hand and take precautions proactively. Timely control measures can ensure successful harvest.

What kind of investment is required and what are the things a farmer, who is new to this crop, need to bear in mind?

This is an intensive crop. In fact, the entire agro techniques scenario has changed over the years.

About 10 years back, this was a direct-sown crop. The seeds were directly sown into the soil in a raised bed and then irrigated. This has changed.

Now, it is transplanted with raised bed with drip irrigation in place and mulching is being done. Hence, the cost of production has hence increased slightly. Now the major investment goes into procuring the seeds. Depending upon the variety, the cost of the seed varies.

What type of soil is required for this crop?

Sandy soil is the best for this crop. In Uttar Pradesh, this crop is extensively grown on the river beds, which is completely sandy. It comes up very well there without any inputs. It is called riverbed cultivation. There is no irrigation done. The roots are so extensive that they go up to 1 to 1 and half meters deep to harvest the water. Sandy soil is very good for watermelon cultivation.

Today, it is a specialised crop since it can be grown across seasons. Some people have been growing this crop over the years very extensively in Ananthapur of Andhra Pradesh, Chamrajnagar in Karnataka, etc. They are all specialised in growing this crop. In Chamrajnagar they grow it along with banana and turmeric.

Is it the right time to start muskmelon cultivation in February and which is the best seeds that can be used in South India, Anantpur?

February would be a good time to start cultivation. Sowing in February means one can harvest the crop in mid-April.

There are several segments in Muskmelon. The canary segment is one with yellow colour skin. That has very good shelf life but it is the preferred variety in North India. So, if the intention is to sell the crop in the North Indian market, this variety is a good choice. There are many people who export this variety to the Middle East as well. There is the Kohinoor variety of this segment, which is a good variety for north Indian market.

Another segment is the Madhuras which is very aromatic during harvest and is our traditional type. We at IIHR have recently developed a variety called Arka Siri in this segment, the seeds of which are available at IIHR since last season. Recently, a farmer Mr Govardhan Reddy (9740861660) at Bagepalli bordering Ananthapur has grown this variety in 2.5 acres and earned a return of Rs. 3.7 lakh in a 65 day period. He has sent the produce to premium markets of Mumbai and retail chain of Star Bazaar. Similarly several farmers have made good earnings in Karnataka, AP and Tamilnadu.

What is the difference between the dark green colour watermelon and the traditional striped watermelon?

Those are two broad segments in watermelon. The traditional striped one is called the Jubilee segment. Jubilee is the name of a old variety that used to be grown in the United States. It comes in huge size - the weight is anything above 7 kgs. Now, owing to the fact that most families are nuclear families, it becomes difficult for consumption.

So, people started growing smaller varieties called icebox (kiran) varieties. It comes in sizes that can fit into the refrigerator and therefore called so.

The major characteristic of this is that the outer skin is blackish green and the inside pulp is dark red and it is sufficient for a small family.

Now we have several other varieties - the most popular one currently is Sugar queen variety.

Why is there a taste difference in all these varieties?

The taste difference is not much. The only thing is that in the recent varieties they could include more sugar content into it so it is sweeter.

Among watermelons what are the good varieties for exporting?

Icebox segment is most popular for exporting. The sugar queen variety is popular and so is a new variety called Max. That is good for export. People export it to the Middle East.

Is December a good time for sowing?

No, it is not advisable. It is better to sow in November or February.

If you want to plant during December-January, there is a cloth available called non-woven fabric. This fabric is also called crop cover. That is being used to make small tunnels in which these crops can be grown; but it will prove to be expensive. So, if you feel that sowing in December can fetch you profits, make use of this fabric.

Is there high water requirement for this crop?

We have to be very careful while irrigating these crops, especially muskmelon.

Water requirements increase up to flowering period and fruit set. Slowly we have to increase the irrigation up until fruiting period and once the fruit is set, we have to maintain uniform irrigation and it should be given daily.

Irrigation should not be missed any day nor should it be over irrigated. Any irregularity in irrigation can lead to the muskmelon fruit to split open. After fruit set we have to gradually reduce the irrigation and the last three-four days, we should stop irrigation so that the fruit will have concentrated sugars due to which it will be sweet to taste.

Hence, irrigation should be managed rather carefully for these crops because these fruits grow very rapidly. In 5 days the fruit weight increases from 600 g to about 1 kg during fruit growth.

When the fruit weight increases so rapidly, if there is any irregularity in irrigation, the fruit suddenly splits open. Drip irrigation is the best and even in that manage it efficiently so that irrigation is uniform, gradually reduced and stopped a little before harvest.

What is the latest trend in cultivation of musk melon and watermelon?

Most of the seeds are imported seeds from Taiwan, Thailand or Korea and the seeds are very expensive. The icebox segment costs about Rs 40,000 per kg, which is a major investment for farmers. So, we cannot go for direct sowing because it is a seed wastage. From direct sowing, people are growing it in trays and then transplanting. After 14 days, the plants are transplanted on to the field.


The other change is that people are opting to cultivate the smaller sized varieties than the big varieties of watermelon.


It was earlier a summer crop but now it is grown across seasons. Most of the OP varieties are now replaced by hybrids.


Then, we have the mulch system and the drip system. The mulch system is very important to control trips, which is a major concern during summer. Trips are vectors for a disease called WBNV (Watermelon Bud Necrosis orthotospo Virus)in watermelon. If attacked, it is very difficult to control this virus. So, mulch should be used to repel thrips. Also, it has other benefits like weeding, moisture retention etc.


Then, we have fertigation that is happening. These are all various agro techniques that have been adopted in the last 5 -6 years.

Is the mulching technique expensive?

Yes, it is slightly expensive. It comes to around Rs 5000 per acre but it is important to adopt it to reduce irrigation. Also, the weeding expense is reduced, crop growth is very good and you can keep away diseases. So it is worth it.

Without mulch, honestly, we cannot grow this crop during February sowing.

Are you open to giving consultations for these crops?

Yes, I can be contacted over phone or WhatsApp the picture of your crop, I can give suggestions and guide farmers.

Contact –

Dr. E. Sreenivasa Rao
ICAR-IIHR
Hesaraghatta lake post
Bangalore 560089
Karnataka
Email: esrao1973@gmail.com
Mobile: 9945544840
 
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